Ireland breaking news readers following the FIFA World Cup were treated to a dramatic finish as Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto and book their place in the last 16. Cristiano Ronaldo drew Portugal level from the penalty spot before substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home deep into stoppage time to settle a tense knockout clash.
The result keeps Ronaldo’s World Cup story alive, with Portugal now set for a high-profile meeting with Spain in Dallas. For fans tracking latest Irish news, live updates Ireland, and major global sporting events, this was one of the standout matches of the tournament so far.
Ireland breaking news: Ronaldo and Ramos send Portugal through
Croatia looked the sharper side for long spells and created the better openings in difficult, energy-sapping conditions. Their pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perisic finished coolly, sliding the ball under Diogo Costa to hand Croatia a deserved lead.
Portugal thought they had responded quickly when Ronaldo controlled a long ball and found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside. The equaliser did arrive soon after, however, when Renato Veiga was brought down in the area by Nikola Vlasic. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty.
Ronaldo stepped up and calmly struck the ball down the middle, scoring his first goal in the knockout rounds of a FIFA World Cup. It was a landmark moment for the Portugal captain and a major turning point in the match.
- Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic
- Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot
- Goncalo Ramos scored the winner in stoppage time
- Croatia then had a late equaliser ruled out for offside
Croatia left heartbroken after late VAR drama
Despite conceding the penalty, Croatia continued to threaten. Mateo Kovacic went close with a low effort that Costa pushed onto the post, while Petar Sucic also had the ball in the net only for the offside flag to stop celebrations.
Mario Pasalic then came agonisingly close with a header that drifted wide, a miss that would prove costly. In the fourth minute of added time, Rafael Leao delivered a superb pass and Goncalo Ramos rose to head home the decisive goal.
Croatia still believed they had rescued the tie at the death when Josko Gvardiol scored in the dying seconds. But after the celebrations began, the goal was ruled out for offside, leaving the Croatian side stunned and Portugal relieved.
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What the result means for Portugal
Portugal did not dominate for the full 90 minutes, but they showed resilience and quality in the moments that mattered most. Ronaldo’s composure from the spot steadied the team, while Ramos delivered again as an impact substitute.
The win sets up a blockbuster clash with Spain, a fixture certain to attract worldwide attention. It also underlines Portugal’s depth, with attacking options capable of changing matches late on.
For audiences searching beyond sport for Dublin news today, Cork news today, or Galway breaking news, major global football stories like this often trend alongside domestic searches, especially when Ronaldo is involved.
Key talking points from the match
- Ronaldo scored a historic first World Cup knockout goal
- Croatia created many of the clearer chances
- VAR played a decisive role at both ends
- Ramos once again made the difference off the bench
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FAQs: Portugal vs Croatia World Cup match
Who scored for Portugal against Croatia?
Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot, and Goncalo Ramos netted the late winning goal with a header in stoppage time.
Why was Croatia’s late goal disallowed?
Josko Gvardiol’s late effort was ruled out for offside, denying Croatia what would have been a dramatic equaliser.
Who will Portugal play next?
Portugal will face Spain in Dallas in the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Did Croatia play well despite the defeat?
Yes. Croatia created several strong chances and were competitive throughout, but they were punished late by Portugal’s clinical finishing.
Conclusion
For fans following Ireland breaking news, international football, and the biggest World Cup moments, Portugal’s comeback win over Croatia was packed with drama, controversy and late emotion. Ronaldo delivered under pressure, Ramos finished the job, and Croatia were left to wonder how a match they nearly controlled slipped away in the final seconds.
